Category Archives: 1970s

Book Review–Bill Cunningham: On the Street

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Lynn

Bill Cunningham, the famous fashion photographer, liked to claim that he wasn’t a photographer at all.  Instead he was a columnist who wrote with pictures.  There is something to this statement.  The story goes that he first documented what he … Continue reading →

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A Sewn Wardrobe, 1978

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Lynn

In the 1970s, Vogue Patterns magazine did occasional features on women who sewed most of their own clothes.  As an added bonus, the editors asked the women why they had chosen particular styles.  What could be better for someone interested … Continue reading →

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Yolanda Lopez’s Grandmother

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Lynn

Well known Chicana artist Yolanda Lopez died recently, bringing her unapologetically political art back into view.  One of her most famous works is a triptych of herself, her mother, and her grandmother as contemporary versions of the Virgin of Guadalupe, … Continue reading →

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Mother’s Day at the First Christian Church, 1973

Posted on May 9, 2021 by Lynn

The First Christian Church of Corpus Christi, Texas decided to honor the oldest and youngest mothers in the congregation on Mother’s Day, 1973.  What a wonderful contrast between the outfits of the very old and still quite young.  We can … Continue reading →

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Maree’s Fashion Cycle

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Lynn

Many sociologists who study fashion try to determine when and for what reason people buy clothes. For a long time, the assumption was that older people tended to slow down consumption as they aged. Why? Often they have a smaller … Continue reading →

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International Women’s Day and the Older Woman

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Lynn

International Women’s Day began in the early 20th century as an observance of women’s place in the international socialist labor movement. Although rarely celebrated in the US with any force today, it sometimes gets a mention from politicians and companies … Continue reading →

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Mae Reeves, Queen of Hats

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Lynn

You might know the names of famous black fashion designers—Ann Lowe is having a moment on sewing sites right now.  But how about black milliners?  One the biggest names in that field is Mae Reeves (1912-2016), who ran an extremely … Continue reading →

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Funny Hats on New Year’s Eve, 1970

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Lynn

I wish I had a funny hat and a collection of friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve.  Given my love of champagne, or similar bubbly beverages, it is a favorite holiday of mine.  At this party, sponsored by music mogul … Continue reading →

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Look for the Union Label across Generations

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Lynn

Although this is an advertisement rather than a real life snapshot, I love the contrast in clothing depicted between the generations.  The Library of Congress gives the date as 1965-1980, a very big range, and I couldn’t find it reproduced … Continue reading →

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Sewing and Chatting, 1970

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Lynn

Home sewing can be an isolating activity, but not if you take your work outside.  I wonder what the woman on the left is doing.  Darning? Hemming? Making a couture outfit by hand? Whatever it is, she has a friend … Continue reading →

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